Mass operator and dynamical implementation of mass superselection rule (Q1949805): Difference between revisions

As shown by Bargmann in 1954 Galileian invariance implies a superselection rule for the masses of a non-relativistic quantum mechanical system, i.e. a formal superposition of pure states with different mass values does not represent a pure state. In several papers, Giulini stressed that the usual Galileian interpretation of de-coherence effect does not allow any dynamical approach. Instead, he re-interpreted Bargmann's rule within another framework assuming a central extension of the Galileian group which provides an explicit mass operator. The present paper is organized as follows. After explaining the details of a specific Hamiltonian and the underlying Hilbert space, Giulini's approach is reviewed from a more mathematical point of view, thereby proposing some improvements of his framework. The mass operator is modified so as to obtain a positive discrete spectrum. The model remains to be invariant under time reversal. However, another degree of freedom arises describing a conserved internal charge. Everything here relies on the hypothesis that the mass operator has a discrete spectrum. This assumption guarantees the validity of the presented results. There does not seem to exist any general physical a-priori principle justifying this assumption.